Daily Prayer

Monday, 29 May 2017

Everything Enneagram

Recently, over drinks, a friend, introduced to the conversation, the topic of the enneagram. While it can be an approach that’s easy to dismiss because I haven’t seen a lot of scientific-data supporting its content and output, I’ve consistently, for many years now, found its descriptions of the nine types, unnervingly accurate, particularly when those descriptions navigate the continuum of self and relationality from origins to self-actualisation, and include the pathological (dysfunctional) and ego-driven.

The good books and other resources, I have and have used, face into the shadow-side of each type, along with how one both progresses and regresses. It’s the shadow-side that I find most fascinating, both in my own life, and in the lives of others, and while there’s still a lot in my motivations, fixations, thinking, and behaviour that remains (un/sub)conscious, I like to feel I’ve consistently made my own very modest gains in trying to healthily integrate my inner-world (and discoveries) into my outer world. It is the enneagram that has most helped me grow in self-awareness, and in my seeing.

The most accessible and useful of my many books is Susan Reynolds 2007 publication The Everything Enneagram Book. If you’re new to the enneagram, or have a good understanding of it, I very much recommend this book. It’s a book I keep coming back to a number of times each year, most recently yesterday morning. It also has a useful bibliography, which will enable as much exploration as you feel you want to do.

The Everything Enneagram Book

“Each of us wears our personality like a disguise-but with the Enneagram, you can strip away that mask, and reveal your true self. A timeless tool used by corporate trainers, counselors, and mental health professionals; the Enneagram defines nine basic personality types. Which are you? Evangelical Idealist People Pleaser King of the Hill Creative Seeker Masterful Hermit Loyal Guardian Optimistic Dreamer The Dominator Peaceful Lamb In The Everything Enneagram Book, you'll learn what your type is, how it affects your perception of yourself and others, and how you can use that knowledge to best effect. Author Susan Reynolds' Jungian approach helps you apply … the Enneagram to your relationships, your work, even your love life…”